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Hospitalists at St. Luke's

How is a hospitalist different from my primary care provider?

Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in the care of hospitalized adults. St. Luke’s hospitalists are board certified physicians, specially trained to care for complex medical problems, and considered experts in making diagnoses.

Our hospitalist program also includes non-physician providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) as part of the patient care team. These providers participate in clinical care, teaching, and coordination of patient care.


How does this benefit me?

Because the hospital is their primary practice site, hospitalists are more familiar with the hospital than most primary care providers.

By utilizing the hospitalist service, your doctor is able to be more available to you in the office, rather than spending time going back and forth between seeing patients in the office and the hospital. While you’re in the hospital, your primary care provider will be kept aware of your admission and condition.


What if I need a specialist during my hospital stay?

Consultations from other physicians are sometimes necessary during a hospital stay. In these cases, hospitalists coordinate a highly trained care team, and may call in other specialists or subspecialists to assist. If you’ve been seeing a specialist before your hospital stay, we’ll also keep them informed of your in-hospital treatments or procedures.


What happens after I’m discharged from the hospital?

A detailed record of your hospital stay will be sent to your primary care provider. Any medical questions after discharge should be directed to your primary care provider.